Luella Hilton McCray

And her children arise and call her blessed

Luella Hilton McCray was known as Mom, Grandma, sister, Aunt Luella, “Mother McCray” or “Missionary McCray but most of all she was known to be blessed.

Blessed to see 85 years of life, Mother McCray went from labor to reward early Thursday morning March 7, 2019 surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren. Luella Hilton McCray, was born to Henry L. Hilton and Beulah Thames Hilton on February 14, 1934 in Clarendon County. She received her High School Diploma from the Scott’s Branch High School, Summerton, SC.  She was also employed for many years for AirCap Industries. At an early age she accepted Christ and attended St. John Baptist Church and Mt. Zero Baptist Church.

She was joined in Holy Matrimony to the late Deacon Lee McCray. From this union they were blessed with seven children. After marriage she joined the Church of God By Faith in Davis Station, SC and served faithfully for over 65 years. She then moved to Irmo, SC with her daughter, Lubertha Williams, and began attending Shekinah Glory, Church of God by Faith.

Mother McCray was an ardent worker for the Lord. She loved her church and would do anything for the up building of the kingdom.  She held many offices in the church such as Mother of the Church on the Local level as well the District Level, Local Choir President, and Local Missionary President.  Two things she was most compassionate about was the District Missionary Department in which she served as President for many years and the District Mass Choir in which served as President and sang on the choir until she was 75 years old. She was the oldest member on the choir.   Mother McCray loved to travel to different churches throughout the community singing. She loved taking care of her Pastors, always opening up her home on Sundays to make sure their families had a meal. She also took time to visit the sick and shut in, the local Nursing Homes and always found an opportunity to tell others about Christ no matter who they were. When her Mother, mother in law, brother and sister could not care for themselves, she opened up her home and became their CNA.

Three sons preceded her in death; Lee Jr, John Allen, and Bobbie Gean.  Three grandchildren proceeded her in death; Patricia McCray, Jennifer Sheriod, and Brice Christian Livingston.

She leaves to cherish her memories, daughters Lubertha (Mark) Williams, Irmo, SC , Burnette (Johnny) McFadden, Manning, SC Catherine (Anthony) Blocker of Irmo SC, the granddaughter she raised as a daughter from birth, Sharon (Tonie) Mellette and one son Stanley McCray, both of Manning, SC. A niece in which she raised in her home, Carrie (James) Doughty Manning, SC. Catrecha (Darren) Skinner, (granddaughter) and James Edward Hilton, nephew both raised in her home. Another son, Elder Caleb Gordon of Baltimore Maryland.  Daughter-in-law Theresa (Robert) Gaiters, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Twenty- one grandchildren and thirty-three great grandchildren . One sister, Lizzie H. Prince of Sumter, SC.  Two Sister-in-laws Bertie Lee (Floyd) Briggs, Columbia, SC and Minnie Bellinger, Miami, FL.Two Brother-in-laws, Willie (Towanda) McCray, Miami, FL and Jack (Geneva) McCray of Salisbury, MD. A host of nieces and nephews.

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